Japanese people rejoice at the triumph of the series “Shogun” even though few have seen it

“Shogun” became the record-breaking series at the Emmy Awards on Sunday night. It is the first non-English-language series to win the prestigious award for best drama series. Its actors, Hiroyuki Sanada and Anna Sawai, are the first Japanese actors to win an Emmy.

The Japanese celebrated the triumph of S on Monday, September 16hogun at the Emmy Awards, even though many admitted to never having watched this series about warring Japanese dynasties during feudal times. Shogun collected a record 18 trophies at the American television equivalent of the Oscars held in Los Angeles on Sunday.

It became the first non-English series to win the top award, the Best Drama Series award, and also received the award for Best Director. Lead actor Hiroyuki Sanada, who plays Lord Toranaga, became the first Japanese actor to win an Emmy, while Anna Sawai, who plays Lady Mariko, achieved the same feat by winning the award for Best Actress.

“As a Japanese, I am happy that Sanada won,” Kiyoko Kanda, a 70-year-old retiree in Tokyo, told AFP. “He’s worked so hard since he moved to Los Angeles.” In The Last SamuraiTom Cruise was the main character, so it’s exciting that Japanese actor Hiroyuki Sanada is the main character in “Shogun“, added Ms. Kanda.

She admitted, however, that she had only seen the trailer so far, but assured that she would watch the series if “curious to know how Japan is represented.” Shogun is only available on the Disney platform, which is relatively new in Japan. Ms. Otsuka, who declined to give her first name, said she has not watched the series either. “But I saw the news and I’m happy she won.”.

Yusuke Takizawa, 41, has also only watched a trailer, but says he admires the quality of the series. “I was impressed by the passion of the actors, the attention to detail and the technology”the 40-year-old told AFP outside Osaka Castle, a major historical location in the series. “I think many young people will want to try their luck in Hollywood after seeing Sanada.”

On the Japanese X network, keywords “historical achievements” and “Hiroyuki Sanada” were among the day’s trends, while the actor’s speech at the awards ceremony was viewed tens of thousands of times. He also made a point of finishing his acceptance speech in his native language when Shogun was named best drama series. An obvious nod to his compatriots.

Inspired by the historical novel by the British James Clavell, a literary success of the 1970s, Shogun breaks with decades of stereotypical representations of the Japanese archipelago in Western-produced films and television shows. A team of specialists, including Japanese wigmakers, put their know-how to the service of the series, meticulously scrutinizing the sets, costumes and movements of the actors.